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Unit Summary
Unit aim
Encompasses the advanced study of the biology and conservation of marine megafauna (e.g. marine mammals, turtles, sharks, crocodiles and rays). Students will study cutting-edge research on marine megafauna, and critically evaluate important case studies. Students will learn about management priorities vital for the continued conservation and recovery of globally threatened populations of marine megafauna.
Unit content
- An overview of marine megafauna.
- Whales and dolphins.
- Seals and sea lions.
- Sharks and rays.
- Threats to marine mammals and effective conservation approaches.
- Threats to shark populations and effective management strategies.
Learning outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.
| On completion of this unit, students should be able to: | |
|---|---|
| 1 | demonstrate advanced understanding of the taxonomy, anatomy, biology and ecology of megafauna in marine systems |
| 2 | identify common marine megafauna occurring in Australian waters |
| 3 | critically evaluate the main anthropogenic impacts to marine megafauna |
| 4 | understand complex management actions required for the protection marine megafauna in Australian waters |
| 5 | critically evaluate and describe the risks associated with human-megafauna interactions in marine systems, and how these can be mitigated. |
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- demonstrate advanced understanding of the taxonomy, anatomy, biology and ecology of megafauna in marine systems
- identify common marine megafauna occurring in Australian waters
- critically evaluate the main anthropogenic impacts to marine megafauna
- understand complex management actions required for the protection marine megafauna in Australian waters
- critically evaluate and describe the risks associated with human-megafauna interactions in marine systems, and how these can be mitigated.
Prescribed texts
- No prescribed texts.